Indian's Radar Headlight Solves ARAS Aesthetic Problem
By Ben Purvis
Radar technology is already commonplace in cars and rapidly spreading into motorcycles as a growing number of tourers and adventure bikes adopt the idea of adaptive cruise control and front collision warning systems.
But for cruisers - a breed of long-distance, well-equipped, highway-oriented bikes that should be high on the list of models to get the tech - finding a place to hide the radar unit becomes a problem.
Indian Motorcycle has already adopted radars on the back of some models, allowing blind spot monitoring and rear collision warning systems, and a new patent suggests it's now solved the aesthetic issue of front radars by hiding the sensor inside a normal-looking headlight.
While radar sensors themselves are relatively small and increasingly inexpensive, and the adoption of ride-by-wire throttles and computer-assisted braking systems makes modern bikes well suited to adopt technology like adaptive cruise control - tech that can maintain a constant distance from the vehicle in front - hiding a front radar isn't easy.
The sensors can 'see' through some materials, but generally need a clear, unobstructed line-of-sight for optimal operation. That's why on bikes like BMWs, Ducatis, KTMs and Yamahas that already have front radar systems, the sensor is usually easy to see. Look, for example, at a BMW R18B or Transcontinental: when the radar option is added, it comes with a chrome-clad wart that sits above the headlight to house the sensor, replacing the smooth panel of the radar-less version.
Like all the best ideas, Indian's solution is a simple one. One that comes thanks to the fact that modern LED headlights can be far smaller than their forebears, but the classic cruiser and tourer style means bikes still use the large, circular light designs of previous generations.
Illustrated on a Chieftain in the patent document, the idea is to tuck the radar sensor inside the lower section of a normal-looking circular headlight, shifting the high and low-beam LED all into the upper portion.
Since the requirements of an effective headlight are essentially the same as those of a radar, namely an unobstructed view of the road ahead, it's the ideal position for the unit.
The radar itself appears to be the ubiquitous Bosch sensor that's already been adopted by brands including BMW, Ducati and KTM, but by siting it inside a circular headlight that's already a signature feature of the brand, Indian will be able to equip virtually any bike in its range with the technology without having to modify or corrupt the styling.
